Michigan Halts Baseball's Streak

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Sooners' 11-game winning streak was halted by Michigan on Sunday at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Wolverines won 8-5 even though OU held an 11-10 advantage in the hits column. The loss drops OU's overall record to 13-5 and Michigan improved to 6-4.

Despite taking an early 2-0 lead after their at-bat in the second inning, the Sooners could not hold onto the lead, allowing four runs in the bottom of the second frame and three more in the fourth.

“This is a tough loss for us but we will bounce back,” said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. “Our pitching staff has been extremely strong during this winning streak and today was not our day.

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“We knew coming into this tournament that it would not be easy to win three games with two NCAA teams (San Diego and Michigan).from a year ago and a solid San Diego State club. We have a lot of positives to take away from this weekend and we will look to carry that success into next week's games.”

Matt Lovelady (0-1) took the loss for OU after surrendering three runs on four hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Michigan's Mike Wilson was solid in his relief outing, tossing 5 2/3 innings of four-hit ball (one run allowed) to earn the win.

The Sooners' Brad Burns, who had two consecutive straight starts of effective pitching, made an early exit after lasting 1 1/3. The Wolverines scored four runs on three hits and three walks on the Sooners' starter.

OU also chased the Wolverines' starter after 3 1/3 innings pitched. Chris Fetter allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks before giving the ball to Wilson.

Aljay Davis (3-for-5) and Aaron Baker (2-for-5) led the Sooners' offense which recorded its ninth game with 10 or more hits. Baker's hit extends his team-best hitting streak to 18 games.

Michigan's leadoff hitter Jason Christian (4-for-5, two runs, two RBIs) led all hitters after hitting for the cycle in the contest.

OU's offense got things rolling in the second inning on back-to-back hit and run plays. Devin Shepherd drew a one-out walk and was moved to third base on Jarod Freeman's single through the left side of the infield. Brandon Moss followed with a double to plate both runners.

But OU could not take advantage of the early two-run lead as Burns gave up three consecutive walks and then surrendered back-to-back two-run hits by Chris Berset (double) and Eric Rose (single).

An Aaron Reza sacrifice fly and RBI double by Shepherd in the third inning tied the game at four runs apiece. Reza plated Aljay Davis, who led off the third frame with a single and was moved to third on Joe Dunigan's single to right field. The third continued with Aaron Baker's single through the left side of the infield which moved Dunigan to third. Shepherd's double scored the final run of the inning.

Michigan regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with three on four hits, highlighted by Jason Christian's two-run homer over the right-field fence.

After OU scored a run on Reza's fielder's choice in the sixth and cut the lead to two runs, the Wolverines countered with a single run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Nich Conaway was effective in finishing the game on the mound for Oklahoma. The sophomore retired five Wolverines via the strikeout in three innings pitched. Conaway has struck out 15 in his last four outings (8 1/3 IP)

OU returns to Norman for a five-game home stand which begins on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Texas-Pan American at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The two will conclude the two-game series on Wednesday at noon. The Sooners will then host Michigan State over the weekend for a three-game series.

All-Tournament Team
Devin Shepherd, Oklahoma*
Jackson Williams, Oklahoma*
Shane Buschini, San Diego
Jason Christian, Michigan
Cameron Johnson, San Diego State
Josh Romanski, San Diego
Joe Dunigan, Oklahoma*
Adam Abraham, Michigan
Josh Chasse, San Diego State
Kevin Hansen, San Diego

Pitchers
Stephen Porlier, Oklahoma*
Bruce Billings, San Diego State
Nich Conaway, Oklahoma*
AJ Griffin, San Diego